Boeing Defense has made a significant move in enhancing the safety features of the U.S. Air Force’s F-15EX Eagle II combat aircraft by awarding a contract to Collins Aerospace for the delivery of its Advanced Concept Ejection Seat (ACES) II system. This contract entails the provision of 144 ejection seats, with the manufacturing operations taking place in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The ACES II ejection seats are part of a broader initiative to support over 90 F-15EX jets that Boeing is producing as a replacement for the aging F-15C/D platforms currently in service.
Collins Aerospace’s ACES technology, which has evolved since its introduction in the 1970s, has been integral to the safety of pilots flying various allied combat jets, reportedly saving over 700 lives throughout its operational history. The latest version of this ejection seat system has seen deployment in 6,000 units across 29 international air defense organizations. In the U.S. Air Force, the ACES II model is already utilized in a number of aircraft, including the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor, A-10 Thunderbolt II, B-1 Lancer, and B-2 Spirit.
Sharon Tabori, Vice President and General Manager of Integrated Mission Solutions at Collins Aerospace, expressed confidence in the ACES II system’s compatibility with the advanced capabilities of the F-15EX. “The F-15EX is the most advanced Eagle ever built, combining cutting-edge technology with a proven airframe, which makes Collins’ ACES II ejection seat the perfect fit for this aircraft,” she remarked. Tabori emphasized that the advanced technologies incorporated into the ACES family of ejection seats offer the highest level of safety, providing aircrew with the assurance they need to carry out their missions successfully.
The F-15EX Eagle II itself is an upgraded variant of the iconic F-15E Strike Eagle first introduced in the 1980s, with its inaugural flight occurring in 2024. The new multirole fighter measures 64 feet in length and boasts a wingspan of 43 feet. It features a combination of armaments, including a Vulcan rotary cannon, precision-guided munitions, and multi-domain missiles. Modern advancements in the aircraft include an electronic warfare and countermeasures system produced by BAE Systems, and state-of-the-art flight control computers.
Powered by two General Electric F110-GE-129 afterburning turbofan engines, the F-15EX can reach a maximum altitude of 60,000 feet and has an operational range of 2,100 nautical miles. It is capable of achieving a top speed of Mach 2.5, equivalent to approximately 1,918 miles per hour, highlighting its enhanced operational capabilities.
This contract signifies not only a step forward in ensuring pilot safety aboard the F-15EX Eagle II but also marks a continued commitment to modernizing the U.S. Air Force’s fleet with advanced technology.
